Blaser's reputation as a quality rifle and shotgun manufacturer started in 1957 with the debut of Horst Blaser's Diplomat. Today that tradition continues with the R 8 rifle ... a "modular" rifle comes in 31 different calibers from .223 Rem to .500 Jeffery. At the Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, NRA General Operations Executive Director Kayne Robinson spoke with Blaser CEO Bernhard Knöbel for more:

If you haven’t been to SHOT Show at the Sands Expo Center, then you’re probably not familiar with the layout. Arriving as most, by bus or taxi, you follow the crowds inside as they loop around in search of stairs or escalators. These take you to the top floor where you’ll find the familiar names of Colt, Blaser, and NRA. It’s not until later that you find that although there are big names on the top floor, there are treasures to be found underneath.

One of those treasures was Samantha Virk of Desiccare, Inc. At SHOT, Desiccare was showing off one of those hunting/firearms accessories that no sportsman should be without – hydrating agents. Not sure what that means? Neither was I until Virk explained.

“You come back from a week–long trip and your gear is soaked,” she began. “You’re tired, you’re wet, and nine times out of ten you just leave your bag in the back of your truck. Couple of days later, you open the bag and woof – nothing but the smell of mold and mildew and decay … or you could just throw in one of our customized drying packets. Then when you open your bag a few days later all you have are dry clothes. We have the same things for guns safes, boats ... just about anything that needs to stay dry.”

But Samantha’s talents, Sam to her friends, extend beyond the role of National Sales Director for a Pomona-California based manufacturer. She’s also quite the outdoorswoman. “Give me a bow, a rifle or a shotgun … I’ll come back with something to hang on the wall.”

And as a Bass Pro Shops Pro Staff Hunter, she’s afforded some of the perks the average outdoorsman never get’s to experience.

“I teach youth days for the young ones who want to become proficient with a bow,” beamed Virk. “It’s so much fun to see them learn. To see them know they’re learning. It’s a great joy. I also get help out with our local Wounded Warriors projects too. It’s a better day spent with them in the field then bagging the biggest bear in Alaska.” More

NRA President Ron Schmeits and NRA Executive Director Kayne Robinson got a lot of dust on their boots at the Range on a busy Media Day under sunny Nevada skies. The Range itself is out in the desert near Boulder City, but that didn't stop swarms of media and SHOT Show exhibitors from driving out for a great day of shooting. Both Robinson and Schmeits got in their fair share of target shooting, along with some effective networking.

NRA President Ron Schmeits tried out some of Blaser's finest guns, taking aim at a moving "boar" target system. We'll have more on this innovative equipment later.

NRA Executive Director Kayne Robinson knocked down a clay on his first try with this muzzleloader.

Robinson with the NRA's Sylvia Schneider and Bob Voegele of the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association.

One of the big attractions at SHOT Show's Media Day at the Boulder City Rifle and Pistol Club was Blaser's Boar Hunt. With the choice of five different rifles, the shooter takes aim for three shots at a boar target on a rail. And for those wondering who muffed the shot, wonder no more — that's me.

Day three at SHOT Show 2011 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, was everything it promised and more. Though we operated with more of a free wheel, there was still plenty of time to inspect some new firearms, meet some new people, and make some new connections. We had a meeting with Blaser about the R8 rifle, met the left and right brain from from Girl's Guide to Guns, and shook the hand of legendary smallbore shooter Lones Wigger.

Here I am shooting the Sauer 202 Yukon at the Boulder City Rifle and Pistol Club for SHOT Show 2011's Media Day. The rep was patient, my aim was relatively good, and the day was beautiful. Later we'll move onto sporting clays, a .50 cal and the Blaser Boar Hunt. It's not Long Range High Power, but it still felt good.

Whenever we go out to the range, there's always a bit of worry and wonder. Wonder for what we'll be able to achieve, and worry that we won't be able to achieve enough.

Above is a sampling of the yesterday's experience at SHOT Show 2011's SHOT Show media day in Boulder City, Nevada. Looking back, I wonder if I should have taken a turn at Blaser's Shotgun & Sporting Clays booth and worry if anyone saw my target after a stop at Glock's.

Media Day at SHOT Show 2011 started with a half hour trip outside of Las Vegas in Boulder City, Nevada. First thing on the agenda was to visit the vendor tables at the front of the show. Everyone from Alpen Optics to the Boy Scouts of America to Battenfeld Technologies were showing off their goods.

NRA Sports had a seat at the big table too. Manned by NRA staff from the Headquarters Youth Programs Department, they spent a good deal of the day passing out information, answering questions, and telling all about the great programs NRA has to offer.

Then we hit the range. Colt, Aimpoint, Beretta, SightSystems, Glock and more had something to new to show off to the crowds.

Along the way, NRA Executive Director of General Operations Kayne Robinson took a turn at the Blaser Boar Hunt. Three shots from one of their rifles as a faux boar on a rail rides from one end to the other with a literal target on his back.

And just as we were about to leave, Andrea ran into 2011 Brownell’s/NRA National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassador Thomas Cunningham. Luckily, he still had a few pictures left and was nice enough to provide Andrea with an autographed copy.

A little bit later, we'll share video from the shoots and even a Yamaha ATV test drive ... very nice.